In the golden sunshine state of Florida, where oranges are as common as sunshine and alligators can be seen basking by the pool side, lives a group of extraordinary kids. They are not extraordinary because they can surf waves taller than a giraffe or eat more Key Lime Pie than a hungry hippo. No, these kids are special because they have an insatidably voracious appetite for… books! Introducing Captain BookBeard, the imaginary leader of these reading adventurers. He's a swashbuckling pirate with a wild beard made entirely of book pages, always fluttering in the tangy sea-breezes of Florida. You see, the more these Floridian kids read, the longer our Captain’s book beard grows, sometimes even tickling the pink flamingos that happen to pass by! Captain BookBeard guides this crew through the thrilling mysteries and magical realms found within the pages of their books. Each day after school, they gather under towering palm trees or sandy beaches, their eyes dancing across the pages, their minds transported to fabulously fantastical worlds. Whether they are reading about the daring escapades of superheroes, the enchanting tales of mermaids, or the brave adventures of astronauts, these kids never tire. The sunlight may dance on their suntanned faces, and the occasional splash of a dolphin may startle them, but nothing can deter these young bookworms. In the heart of Florida, with Captain BookBeard at the helm, these kids continue their reading journey. Their laughter and gasps of surprise ring out across the state, proving that in the land of sunshine and oranges, reading is as exciting as a rollercoaster ride through an alligator’s mouth! So, if you hear the rustling of pages in the breeze, you’ll know the Florida reading crew is on another epic adventure, led by their fearless leader, Captain BookBeard!
Read morebest reading programs in Sweetwater, FL


What began in a humble New York City apartment with just a single student, Spark, has since blossomed into an enriching program impacting thousands of children. Our unique educational approach combines the elements of art, yoga, meditation, and nature to create a holistic learning environment. This distinctive blend is what sets Spark apart, allowing us to reach and inspire a multitude of children in truly meaningful ways. With an array of offerings to accommodate various schedules and needs, Spark has something for everyone. Our services extend beyond the standard after school and weekend classes to include holiday and summer camps, birthday parties, portfolio preparation, private classes, and custom pods. We also welcome homeschool groups and are thrilled to announce the recent addition of a forest school program to our repertoire. You can find Spark on-site in various schools and at our main studio located in the Upper West Side. But we're not stopping there - we're also planning to expand to the Upper East Side and Brooklyn. For our families in Pennsylvania, we run the program from our family studio there. And if you're not in close proximity to any of our locations, don't worry. We offer in-home instruction and virtual options to ensure that Spark can reach you, no matter where you are. We invite you to explore all the ways you can experience Spark and look forward to helping bring our program to you.


The Li'l Abner Foundation is dedicated to providing the resources and support needed to help our community thrive. Founded in 2009, we have seen a great deal of growth in the number of programs and participants, and recently moved to a larger and better location. Our efforts have resulted in a beneficial impact on the community, with more than 20,000 members of the City of Sweetwater benefitting from our programs. We provide not only recreational and educational programs, but also scholarships to help those in our community reach their full potential. Our scholarship program for children offers the opportunity for them to attend Belen Jesuit Preparatory School from 6th to 12th grades. We also offer scholarships for adults to attend Florida International University, with up to 5 years of tuition covered. At the Li'l Abner Foundation, our mission is to provide positive and beneficial impacts to our community, with the ultimate goal of improving the lives of all residents. We are proud of the growth and success we have seen so far, and remain committed to continuing our work and helping our community thrive.